Supernatural Dungeon — Terror at the Amusement Park

Aunt Yue waited patiently outside, resolute in her insistence on treating Eric to a meal. Generously, she ordered steamed rice, crispy pig's trotters, cumin-spiced chicken wings, and a bowl of seaweed egg drop soup — instantly consuming fifteen points.

"This time we didn't expend any healing packs; a considerable gain. Let's indulge in a fine meal," she said with a warm smile.

Though Eric demurred politely, she nonetheless partook in a fresh and hearty supper.

Seated at the table, Eric posed several inquiries about supernatural dungeons. Upon learning that this was Eric's first experience, Aunt Yue remarked thoughtfully, "Young people adapt so swiftly. For your debut in a supernatural dungeon to be this impressive—imagine how formidable you'll become with more experience."

Aunt Yue explained that such dungeons generally offer guidance—sometimes as direct mental prompts, other times via NPCs serving as guides.

She recounted some of her personal trials within these dungeons, cautioning Eric: "I cannot guarantee my methods were the definitive approach—only that I survived. Success here emerges from a confluence of factors. Take my accounts as invaluable insights, but ultimately, you must forge your own path." She emphatically warned Eric against purchasing information from others.

"It's not that everyone is ill-intentioned or would peddle false tips for healing packs. Rather, these dungeons teem with countless players whose actions influence NPC behavior. Even the very same dungeon differs in its unfolding with each new initiation. Moreover, as I mentioned, my perspective is limited; the intelligence from other players is inherently partial. Rather than drowning in a morass of fragmented rumors that might cloud your judgment, it is far wiser to cultivate experience firsthand. That knowledge will truly be yours alone."

Her words were earnest, heartfelt counsel. Eric felt genuinely moved and grateful.

Aunt Yue's eyes softened, telling Eric she resembled a daughter to her. "I just long to be reunited quickly—I'm here with only her at home. Should anything happen to me, what of her studies? Her life? It pains me to think of that. You are still so young with a bright future ahead—keep striving, Eric."

After the meal, the pair returned to their lodgings, where Aunt Yue reserved a single room on a monthly lease.

"Player traffic in the transfer hub has swelled considerably lately," she remarked. "In three months here, I've never witnessed such crowds. Living alone as a young woman, be vigilant. Though your room is secure against outsiders, always check the peephole before entering or exiting—don't let anyone catch you unawares."

Eric expressed her thanks for the advice and, before parting, gifted Aunt Yue a bag of chocolate spheres. Aunt Yue unwrapped the package, neatly storing them in a sealed bag.

Back in her own quarters, Eric bathed, then lay upon her bed, delightedly reviewing her points tally.

Forty-four points!

After eleven grueling days of quests, she had accumulated just seventy-four points; yet a single supernatural dungeon run had yielded forty-four—a profoundly addictive pace.

Still, Eric tempered pride with humility, recognizing her advantage in this run and resolving to exercise greater caution henceforth.

Having crossed the hundred-point threshold, she rewarded herself with a cup of milk tea.

After finishing her drink, she ambled about the room to stretch and exercise, then retired for sleep at nine o'clock. The following morning, arriving at the mission hall, she resolved to modify her dungeon forays.

Mornings, when energy peaked, would be reserved for supernatural dungeons.

Afternoons, depending on stamina, would involve at least one standard dungeon.

Having successfully completed her first voluntary supernatural dungeon, she felt considerably more composed as she stepped through its threshold once more.

Upon entering the portal, she found herself standing at the cusp of an amusement park. Glancing back, she saw a school bus parked behind her, children peering eagerly from its windows. One called out, "Teacher White, may we disembark now?"

"Teacher White?"

Eric gestured for patience. "Not yet—wait a moment."

She awaited the dungeon's prompts or NPC's guidance.

Players gathered steadily nearby; most were veterans, their demeanor calm and measured upon entry.

Once seven players loaded, a dungeon notification echoed in Eric's mind.

[The sixth-grade students of Huangquan Road Elementary are on the verge of graduation, joyously embarking on their elementary school farewell trip. Each teacher is assigned seven students and must fulfill the children's desires for amusement to ensure their happiness. All-access amusement park passes have been distributed, as has the performance evaluation sheet. Collecting seven satisfaction stamps denotes success.]

Upon hearing the briefing, an A4 sheet and a sturdy card materialized in Eric's hands. The sheet featured seven boxes—each signifying a stamping station—while the card granted unrestricted access to all amusement facilities. Lowering her gaze, Eric noticed a new name tag pinned to her chest bearing "Teacher White."

"It appears each child will request a particular attraction. Once content, a stamp will be affixed to the back of the respective card—one stamp per child, totaling seven," remarked one player.

"There are bound to be spirits in this park—likely some supplementary quest to protect the children," another speculated.

"Or perhaps the children themselves are ghosts. The prompt did say they hail from Huangquan Road Elementary," Eric observed.

"The worst-case scenario is that both the park and these children are haunted," one lamented.

"Hopefully not so ill-fated. Let us begin," another urged.

All seasoned players, they shared brief analyses and quickly pressed on without delay.

"All right, children, you may disembark now!"

"Yay! We're getting off!"

"I want to ride the Ferris wheel!"

"Teacher White!"

There was no need for Eric to select her charges; the children, once off the bus, instinctively sought their assigned teachers. In moments, seven eager youngsters clustered around Eric.

She discreetly scanned the seven children—five boys and two girls—each appearing innocent and lively, embodying the vibrant spirit of eleven- or twelve-year-olds, with no trace of the spectral lurking beneath their guise.

Rolling the booklet and tucking it into her pocket, she raised her hand: "Line up neatly; your elementary school graduation trip is about to commence. Each of you may propose one amusement to enjoy. Think carefully and when ready, inform me. I will accompany each of you in turn."

The first in line, a girl, eagerly raised her hand. "Teacher White, I want to ride the Ferris wheel!"

A school badge hung from her neck, inscribed with "6th Grade, Class 4 — Julie."

"Very well, the Ferris wheel shall be our first destination. Let us go."

Eric led the way, grasping Julie's hand, who in turn held Diane's. The five boys trailed, chattering merrily and linking arms—one murmured conspiratorially, "Girls always pick the Ferris wheel; real men choose the haunted house!"

Eric responded with a silent, inward sigh: haunted house sounds ominous; Teacher White has no desire to venture there.

As she walked, Eric scanned the amusement park. It bustled with families—parents accompanying children from one attraction to another—laughter and joy permeating the air. For the moment, the park seemed untroubled—much like the children themselves, who betrayed no menace.

Leading her charges toward the Ferris wheel, Eric noted the crowd; a queue had formed. Each student brandished an all-access pass obviating the need for tickets; they simply queued. Julie's eyes sparkled with eager anticipation.

"Teacher, I heard online that if you make a wish atop the Ferris wheel's highest point, it will come true! I must make a wish when we reach the top!"

"Very well."

Another group queued nearby, overseen by a male player in his thirties, bearing the nameplate "Teacher Li."

Teacher Li offered Eric a nod of acknowledgment.

At last, their turn arrived. The seven students, accompanied by Eric, comprised exactly eight; they divided evenly between two gondolas, Eric naturally sharing one with Julie.

The Ferris wheel's cabins ascended gradually. As they rose, the joyful laughter of Julie and Diane echoed in Eric's ears, yet an unsettling transformation began.

A chill descended; despite wearing a long-sleeved tracksuit, Eric shivered. She glanced at the glass window, now bearing a thin frost that gradually obscured the outside panorama. The children beside her remained engrossed, animatedly chatting.

Eric remained composed. From her prior experience, she knew that ghostly murders are governed by rules—homicide is not indiscriminate. In the recent shift of the "Train of Carnage" dungeon from ordinary to supernatural chaos, laws had seemed absent, resulting in rampant slaughter. Entering directly into a structured supernatural dungeon meant strict constraints imposed by the game.

When Aunt Yue had treated her afterward, the advice was clear: to survive such dungeons, one must meticulously discern the death rules and avoid them wherever possible.

This sudden chill signaled the dungeon entering its pivotal phase; Eric grew more vigilant, wordlessly alert.

The cabin grew increasingly frigid; Eric's eyelashes dusted with frost. Blinking, she found the children before her had vanished entirely.

No sunlight penetrated; the cabin was immersed in darkness.

Suddenly, a rhythmic thumping filled her ears.

Eric blinked, frost falling from her lashes. Her body stiffened, numbed by cold, so she lowered her gaze to the floor.

Before her lay a bloodied, mangled head, pulsating unnaturally, locking eyes with her and wearing a malevolent smile.

"Hee hee hee... I hurt so much, Teacher White, stay and keep me company... hee hee hee..."

The scene was straight from a nightmare—though Eric had encountered numerous severed heads previously, none had leapt or spoken, nor radiated such palpable malice from their gaze. The ghostly aura was suffocating, inflicting profound psychological trauma akin to the most harrowing 3D horror films.

Her heart seemed encased in ice; tremors coursed through her frame as her heartbeat faltered.

Julie's head bounced like a grotesque ball, rising until it aligned with Eric's eyes, less than two inches from her nose.

A gaping void in the skull revealed dripping gore and rotting brain matter swarming with writhing maggots—an abomination unfolding before her.

A foul stench of decay assaulted her nostrils, infused with chilling spectral energy that clawed into Eric's mind.

A thunderous wave overwhelmed her vision.

"Teacher White, stay with me... let us ride the Ferris wheel together, and make a wish at its apex..." Julie's once clear, lilting voice distorted into a hoarse, icy whisper.

Eric's vision blurred and her thoughts unraveled into confusion and dread.